Claiming Her Mate (5 page)

“Why?” Summer asked for him. Evan didn’t think he was capable for coherent speech at the moment.

“For starters, your mate would be vulnerable to anything a regular witch would be.” Richard grimaced his eyes searching for something, a deep scowl forming when they landed on Ally. “Your cat, do you know how significant she is to you, Evan? Do you have any idea what could happen to you if she were harmed?”

“I think the question I should be asking is, do I want to?” he muttered, glancing down at his little cat.

“Christ, this is worse than I thought,” Richard growled, causing Evan’s head to shoot up. The look of pure fury on the man’s face shocked him. He had never seen the older man so angry. “I know your father grieved, he had lost his mate and even though he was human, he felt that loss just as any of us would. But to leave you so open and vulnerable. To not explain things that could save your bloody life…”

Swiping a rough hand down his face, Evan’s stomach began to churn. “My parents were mates?”

“Yes,” Richard answer. “It’s why he never recovered from her death. I always thought you understood. But what you really need to know is that your life is connected to Ally’s. She is your familiar.”

“What?” Evan wasn’t sure who asked, but he was grateful he didn’t need to find the words.

“Every witch has a familiar, whether their abilities are evident or not. It is chosen at birth by their parents. Haven’t you ever wondered why Ally still seems so young, when she should be old, possibly dead?”

“No, it never occurred to me,” the hoarse, brittle sound of his voice was evidence of how frayed his nerves were right that second.

“I’m sorry, Evan. You’re parents left you in a very dangerous position.”

“Christ.” Evan stared at Summer, silently begging her to make this all stop.

Her eyes filled with sympathy. “Honey. I know this is a lot. And while my family thinks they are helping by telling you all of this now, they’re wrong.”

“Hey!” Chase said, affronted. “I’ve kept my damn mouth closed. It’s these two who have been all chatty-cathy.”

“You know what I mean.” She glared at the men, her eyes softening when they returned to him. “We have plenty to worry about, and we know what we need to know to keep you safe, and to answer some questions we had. Brad is out there right now, and I think we can all agree his heading to Aidan’s territory is a good sign. Let’s just focus on that, okay?”

“Dammit.” He stared down into the hypnotising gaze of his mate, the most important thing in the world to him now. “How am I supposed to protect you against something like that? Against Brad? I may have witch blood, but that does me no good if it isn’t enough to give me actual abilities.”

Everything was finally starting to overwhelm him, and it was only his determination to keep the woman he loved safe, and her hand running soothing strokes down his back that had him calming down.

“First, I don’t need you to protect me from Brad.” She held up a hand when he went to protest. “He tricked me with that drink. I never thought being drugged would be possible. I’m not that naïve anymore. Second, you’ll become stronger now that we are mated.”

“What?” Jeez, he really didn’t know a lot.

Sage groaned and rolled his eyes. “How do you not know this? You are so involved in our Pride.” The Alpha shook his head. “Listen. You mated. I don’t fully understand it all either, but then, I have no real clue on how we are what we are, or why we have mates. Up until a thousand or so years ago, it was completely unheard of for different species to mate. And humans, or those who appeared human, no way. However, when matings began to take place between those with no abilities and shifters, people noticed a difference. I guess you could say because human mates need to be stronger to survive in our world, when we mate with them their DNA begins to alter, not quite becoming a shifter, but certainly gaining some of our attributes. Especially the strength.”

“Wait. So you’re saying that soon I’ll be able to—”

“Soon you’ll be able to take on a fully grown tiger,” Sage finished for him. “Only you won’t have claws. You will have one advantage being mated to my sister, though.”

He was afraid to ask after everything he had found out, but did anyway. “What?”

“There is a reason our family is the Alpha family,” Sage explained. “We are naturally stronger, more domineering. And surely you noticed that we look different to the others when we shift?”

Sure, he had noticed, but didn’t really think it had much significance. His thoughts must have shown on his face because Sage just rolled his eyes again and continued, “We are White Tigers. Rarer than your regular, as I said stronger and faster. And the same goes for our mates compared to others.”

Evan gaped at the man. “Damn.”

“Are you okay?” The hesitancy in Summer’s tone jerked him out of his daze.

He looked down to see her gnawing on her bottom lip, wariness and uncertainty shining in her eyes. No matter how much his mind may be spinning right at that moment, allowing Summer to feel even a moment of doubt about how he felt about her wouldn’t do.

“I’m fine. Just a little in shock.” He reached up, his hand slipping to cup her neck. “Nothing is going to stop me from being with you, especially a little bit of funky DNA that will help me protect you.”

He felt her tense under his caress, could see the determined glint in her eyes. How had he not seen how strong and stubborn this woman was?

“I don’t need you to protect me, honey,” she said, her voice deceptively calm. Her arms slid up to link around his neck. She drew him down and Evan went willingly, reveling in the feel of their lips lightly pressed against each other. A moan escaped him...right before he felt himself flying.

All the air left him as he hit the ground suddenly, though he had a feeling she had softened his landing. On top of him now, her lips to his ear, she whispered, “I’m quite capable of taking care of myself. And if Brad comes near either of us I’ll rip his throat out without any assistance. What I need is a mate, not a guardian thinking I’m some helpless little woman. Okay, mate?”

Evan nodded, his cock perking up along with his heart rate.
Fuck, she never stopped amazing him
.

The three other men in the room chuckled, albeit uncomfortably, since it was their daughter and sister who straddled her mate in front of them. She turned her head to them, not moving from her position above Evan. “I love you all, but right now I need to be with my mate...alone.” The seductive look she shot him had his prick hardening all the way. “We have lost time to make up for.”

“Oh damn, on that disturbing note...I’m out of here,” Chase grumbled, moving faster than Evan had ever seen the normally laid back man.

Sage and Richard followed, but not before Evan saw a smirk on the Alpha’s face and he threw a final reminder over his shoulder. “Tonight. Six o’clock. On my property. Don’t be late.”

That was the last thing he heard before Summer slammed her mouth down onto his. When she pulled back he moan, feeling bereft, until she began to shimmy down his body, kissing, nipping and licking as she went. Groaning, he arched up when her teeth clamped down on a nipple, worrying the bud and sending sparks of pleasure racing through him. He could tell how close her tiger was to the surface. She never would have done what she had in front of her family otherwise, and would probably be embarrassed later, but for now she and her animal only wanted one thing...
him
.

Funnily enough, he was okay with that.

“Oh, God. Yessss,” he hissed. It felt so good.

Summer quickly maneuvered one of her small hands between them, cupping Evan’s firm cock and rubbing it through the material of his slacks. He arched up into the caress, seeking more of his mate’s touch.

When Summer abruptly pulled away, Evan felt the loss, until he gazed up into the tigress’s eyes. A fiery storm of passion and lust burned, searing him to his very soul. Summer reached down, and Evan knew his eyes were wide as he watched his mate slowly lower the zipper of his pants.

Was Summer really about to do what he thought she was? And right in the middle of the kitchen.
Oh, crap
. He should suggest they move things to the bedroom, or even make sure her family had really left. Evan was such a private person, so why was it that one look from his mate had him practically begging for it?

“Summer?” he panted as he felt her fingers wrap around his shaft.

His mate stared at him for a moment, hunger stark in her eyes. Summer licked her lips, her gaze flicking down to Evan’s cock that she had just pulled out. Evan felt captured by the predatory gleam in her eyes. Never had she looked at him like that before. He remained silent as Summer lowered her head and took the head of his cock into her mouth.

Suckling on the head, it wasn’t long before Summer slid her lips down further, taking more of his shaft. Evan watched as Summer’s lips stretched around his dick, the pressure and heat from his mate’s mouth wreaking havoc on his senses. Evan was embarrassed to feel his balls draw up so quickly, his release imminent, but he couldn’t come without Summer.

Grasping at her shoulders, he pulled Summer up, taking her mouth as fiercely as the lustful storm that was racing through him. Tugging at the loose track pants she had borrowed, he slid them down and over the curve of her arse, relishing in the feel of bare skin as she kicked them the rest of the way off. He parted her legs, forcing her to straddle his body. His fingers dipped down, slipping into her heat. A groan broke passed his lips when he felt how wet she was, how ready.

Without a second thought he lined up his cock, and thrust into her. Summer threw her head back, crying out. For a moment he thought he had hurt her in his zealousness, then her head snapped back, eyes blazing with heat and so much more. Before he could react, Summer planted her hands on his chest, lifting herself up, then dropping back down to take him all the way into her.

“Ah, damn,” he panted, thrusting up each time she came back down.

Her pace was relentless as she rode him, her rhythm never faltering. He could tell she was running on pure instinct and it wasn’t letting her down as they both cried out in pleasure. Never had he experienced a feeling of being taken, owned, and claimed. That was exactly what she was doing though, and he was loving every minute of it.

They worked together, both desperate to reach that peak. Just as he thought he was close enough, Evan shoved his hand between them, his thumb stroking her clit. Summer broke, throwing her head back and screaming as she came. Evan followed over the edge, his orgasm slamming into him as he stiffened below her.

Laying on the floor of the kitchen, he struggled to catch his breath.
Damn
.

“That was…”

“Yeah,” she whispered from where her head rest on his chest. He could hear the smile in her voice. “That was…”

Evan burst out laughing and Summer joined him, both too exhausted to even move, and too damn happy to care.

He groaned when the jostling dislodged him from where he had been inside of Summer, feeling the loss of her tight walls around him. When Summer suddenly tensed above him, he stared up at her, confused by the look of horror on her face.

“Sum—”

He cut himself off as he felt a small trickle down the inside of his thigh.
Oh shit
.
They hadn’t used protection.

Oh shit
.
They hadn’t used protection
.
What the hell had she been thinking?

Shifting so she sat up, Summer groaned. “Oh God.”

“Damn. Summer, honey.” Evan ran soothing hands up and down her arms. “It’s okay, love.”

She bit down on her lip to stop herself from shouting at him. How was this going to be okay? They had barely began to sort things out after years of miscommunication. Summer knew she wasn’t ready to be a mother, and Evan certainly needed time to adjust to the world that he had now become a part of.

“What are we going to do, Evan?” she asked, her voice trembling a little toward the end. “You’ve spent years dancing around the edges of our society. You have no real idea of what it’s like to be fully submerged in it. You need time to adjust. We need time to adjust.”

“Hey, I’m not going anywhere,” he murmured, sitting up and wrapping her in a tight embrace. She buried herself deeper into his strong, wide chest, feeling safe and secure. “I know I’ve stayed away from a lot. I never really felt like I belonged, but that doesn’t mean I have no clue, or the moment I do I’m going to run.” He cupped her cheek, and she leaned into the caress.

Her gaze met his and she lost her breath at the amount of love she saw shining through. How long had she prayed for him to look at her just like that?

“We mated, for better or worse. I love you, Summer. You just need time to believe that and I understand that. Nothing is for certain, you may not be pregnant, but if you are, then consider me the luckiest man on the planet.”

Relief, so strong it was palpable, washed through her at his words. She hadn’t realized how afraid she was of Evan taking off until he had said the words. “I love you, too.”

“I’m getting that,” he chuckled. “Let’s go take a shower and then give your family a call to let them know it’s safe to return, hmmm?”

She groaned, dropping her head in embarrassment. “Oh God, I really just did that in front of my father and brothers, didn’t I?”

“Don’t worry, they left before we got to the good part...but yeah, they knew what was coming.”

Summer felt the urge to swipe the sly grin off her mate’s face, but took some satisfaction in the shocking blow she was about to deliver. The man thought it was funny, did he?

“Well you better get used to it, you have another few days of it at least,” she said casually.

Standing up, she tried to hide her smile at his confusion. It wasn’t until she made it halfway down the hall that he called out, “Get used to what?”

She turned back to him and shrugged. “Me jumping your bones.”

He walked toward her, eyeing her warily. Smart man. “Not that I’m complaining, but why is that?”

She gave him a seductive look, racking her eyes up and down his delicious body. “Welcome to the mating heat, love. Should only last a few days but...you may want to call in sick for a little while. You know...until you recover.”

With that she spun on her heel and headed for the bathroom, chuckling at the shocked look on her mate’s face. He really had no idea what he was in for.

Once she was turning on the water, Summer stepped under the spray. It wasn’t long before thick arms wrapped around her from behind, and she settled back into the solid chest.

“So...this mating heat…”

“Yes?”

“Recovery time?”

She laughed at the concern in Evan’s voice. “What’s wrong, love? Afraid you won’t be able to keep up?”

He growled, nipping her neck. “I’ll show you how capable I am of keeping up.”

Oh yeah, she was going to like this.

****

Since it was the middle of winter, darkness had fallen by the time they had arrived at Sage’s property, the open lands surrounded by dense bush filled with tiger shifters and their families who made up the Pride.

“Summer!” His eyes widened when an extremely bubbly, young woman came charging toward them, wrapping her arms around his mate. “Oh my God. Are you okay? Your brother told me what happened to you. I’m guessing they haven’t found that bastard yet?” Before Summer could respond, the newcomer’s eyes slid to him, a sly grin on her lips. “So, does this mean what I think it means?”

“Evan, this is my best friend, Avery.” Summer laughed as she introduced the perky blonde. “And to answer your questions...I’m fine. Which brother? No they haven’t found him yet, and yes, Evan is my mate.”

He blinked at both women, feeling out of his element. What the hell just happened, and was he supposed to have kept up with that? Cause that shit was way out of his league. “Ah...hi?”

“Hi, Evan. Nice to finally meet you properly.” Avery’s grin as she turned back to Summer made him nervous. “And Chase, of course. Your other brothers know how to keep their mouths closed.”

“I should have known.” Summer shook her head, clearly amused. “All right. We better join the family, but I’ll catch up with you after the meeting, yeah?”

“Of course,” Avery bid them farewell, joining group of shifters not too far from them.

Evan couldn’t help but notice some of the odd looks a few of them sent him, and the further they made their way through the crowd the more frequent they became. Though he much preferred them to the expressions of distaste he received from a few others. What the hell was their problem? He knew he wasn’t the only human here.

Summer walked beside him, her hand firmly in his. She too frowned at the people they passed.

“Summer. Why are they looking at us like that?” Tension ran through him, every nerve alert.

She shook her head in confusion. “I have no idea.”

Moving their way through the crowd, Evan grew more uncomfortable. Tugging Summer close, he headed for the Alpha family. He never thought he would willingly want to be in Sage’s presence; however, the looks they were receiving made him thankful the Alpha stood only meters away. Just as they were in speaking distance, Evan suddenly felt claws digging into his side, sharp and painful, right before he was sent flying.

Evan landed hard on the damp grass, all the air leaving his lungs. The set of claws returned, piercing his skin once again, only this time Evan felt an intense electrical current race through his body, not unlike the one he had experienced the night before with Summer. A loud hiss echoed in his ears and the claws disappeared instantly.

Snarls reached his ears as he tried to sit up, the noise becoming almost unbearable until the vicious growl silenced the rest. He flinched when something cold and wet nudged him. Turning his head, he was momentarily mesmerized by the stunning snow-white creature beside him.
Summer
. Her fine, silky coat shimmered in the moonlight, and her brilliant eyes sparkled. Those eyes so familiar, he’d know them anywhere.

“Enough!” the powerful and domineering voice commanded the now quiet area. “Sean. Explain yourself, or I’ll rip your throat out for attacking the mate to a member of the Alpha family.”

Beside him, Summer began to shimmer, her coat fading to reveal the bronze top and black jeans she had been wearing before. It wasn't until just then that he suddenly realized he had worried with the thought of her being naked in front of anyone else. Having never witnessed a shift, he didn’t know if like in the movies they lost their clothing, the material tearing into pieces.

Relief washed through him that it wasn’t the case.
Who knew he could be such a territorial bastard
?

“Are you okay?” she whispered, pulling him into her arms.

He winced when pain shot up through his side. “Been better. But what the hell was that?”

Summer growled, her gaze pinning the prick that had taken a swipe at him. “That’s what I’d like to know.”

Sean, a member of the Pride, dangled from Sage’s grip, gasping for breath. When the Alpha lowered him enough so he could answer, he began to sputter. “H-he attacked Summer.” The man’s gaze darted from Evan, to Summer, and then to Sage. “D-don’t you k-know what he d-did?”

“What he did?” Sage shook the other man hard enough to force Sean’s eyes to roll back into his head. “Evan never attacked Summer.”

“B-but Brad s-said—”

“Brad attacked Summer, not Evan.” Sage brought the man’s face close to his. “He drugged her, tried to rape her. Evan was the only thing that stopped it from happening. Do you hear me?”

Sean’s eyes widened, his mouth doing a great impression of a fish. “Brad?”

The Alpha snarled one last time, shoving the other man backwards and to the ground. Evan slowly sat up with Summer’s help as Sage addressed the crowd that gathered. “Listen up. This was exactly why you have all been called here tonight. I have no idea how many of you Brad has gotten to, but whatever he told you was a lie.”

Hushed voices murmured through the open air. “Last night at the Ashcroft and MacKenzie annual event, he drugged Summer with a narcotic enhanced to affect shifters. We haven’t worked out where he got a hold of it, but we are looking. If it wasn’t for Evan, I think we all know what could have happened. And before anyone says anything else, you should know...Evan is Summer’s mate.”

“Holy shit,” someone shouted from the crowd. “Does this mean the prophesy is starting?”

“Yeah. He is the first non-White Tiger to mate into your family, after all?” another person voiced.

“We don’t know. And for now that isn’t what matters.” Sage waited until everyone was silent before he continued, “Brad is on the loose. All we know is that he headed straight for the border of Pine Cove Pride.” Shouts filled the night air. “Yes, I know what that means. If any of you have any problems with our neighboring Pride, or Aidan, you let me know...immediately. Understood?”

There were resounding answers of yes, but Evan was distracted by the tingling sensation he suddenly felt in his side. “What the hell?”

“What’s wrong?” Summer asked, reaching for his shirt. Her brows knitted together as she lifted the material. “Huh. Well at least we know the advanced healing has kicked in.”

Her lopsided grin had his cock stirring in his pants. “Well, that’s a good thing. Because that hurt like a bitch.”

“I’m so sorry,” the man who had attacked him said. “I honestly thought you had hurt Summer. I shouldn’t have believed Brad, but he was so convincing.”

The man looked absolutely gutted.

“He deceived us all, Sean.” Sage comforted the man. “You all need to be on the lookout. As much as I wish I didn’t have to, I have no choice but to call for a hunt. If anyone catches sight of Brad you are given permission to take him down by any means necessary as long as he remains alive. We need answers.”

Evan watched silently as everyone in the Pride agreed to the Alpha’s orders.

Damn, he was so ready for this day to be over now.

****

While the wounds caused by Sean’s claws had healed, Evan’s body still throbbed by the time they arrived back at his place.

“Dammit,” he cursed, tripping over an eager Ally who he found currently winding her way through his legs. “Would you quit it already?”

“Hey,” Summer soothed. “She can sense something is wrong. It’s part of being your familiar.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes. She probably felt the moment you were attacked.”

Evan snorted. “All the way from here?”

“It doesn’t matter where you are, she will always sense you.” Summer shook her head, leading him into the lounge room. “I don’t think you fully comprehend who and what she is to you.”

He followed her, thinking about that. Hell, he barely understood who
he
was anymore, let alone his damn cat.

Sitting down on the lounge, he let out a sigh. “No, I guess I don’t.”

“I know it’s frustrating, but I’m here if you want to talk,” Summer reassured him, taking a spot next to him. “I know a bit about witches, or at least certain types. And I think after that little display back at the meeting, it’s safe to say you’re an Electrical type.”

He chuckled mirthlessly. “Yeah. That was weird as fuck. How the hell did I do that?”

“It’s your DNA. No other reasonable explanation.”

He cast her a sideways glance. “Honey, I love you, but since when did any of this suddenly become reasonable. Hmmm?”

Summer laughed. “True.” He watched as she kicked off her shoes and stretched her long legs out, crossing them at the ankle on top of the coffee table. “What I meant was when a pair of different species mate, their DNA is altered, allowing them to be able to survive in one another’s world. There is a significant change in humans. It’s possible that mating with me has triggered your witch DNA.”

Evan’s mind spun with the implications of what this meant. “I knew I would grow stronger, heal quicker, but to know I’ll have actual power is mind blowing...and a little intimidating.”

It killed him to admit that weakness, even to his mate, but it was true.

“Perhaps we could speak to someone,” Summer offered.

His brows furrowed in confusion. “Like who?”

“Well, we have our Elders. There is also our Seer. Maybe they have some of the answers you are looking for.”

“Seer? Like the one who foretold that prophesy?”

Damn
. When he thought things couldn’t get any weirder…

“Yes, I know, it’s a bit weird,” she chuckled as if hearing his thoughts.

Her face lit up with her smile, and Evan drew in a breath. Summer’s beauty had always blown him away, but now he felt free to actually look and enjoy, she captivated him. The hidden tiger underneath shone through in her glimmering honey-gold eyes, the way they tracked him made Evan feel like the prey being hunted. It was a heady feeling.

He leaned forward, wanting to kiss her, to sip at her lips until they were both drunk with pleasure, however, a knocking at his front door prevented such a move.

“Damn people, and their timing,” he grumbled as he stood, making his way over to the front door. Opening it, Evan was wholly unprepared to be confronted by an aging woman with gray, almost white hair pulled back into a severe bun. She only stood around five foot six; however, she had the same predatory gleam in her eyes as Summer and the rest of her family. Whoever she was, she was a tiger. “Can I help you?”

“Actually, I believe it is I that can help you, young man,” the woman stated matter-of-factly. Holding out a wrinkled hand, she grinned. “My name is Ruth Eversteen. I’m the New Hope Valley Pride’s Seer, and I know you have plenty of questions, Evan. Perhaps if you would be so kind as to allow an old woman into your home, I would be able to answer some of them for you and your new mate.”

Evan, feeling properly chastised for making her stand out in the cold, stumbled back and held the door open for Ruth to come in. The older woman made it to the edge of the lounge room before Summer leaped up from where she had been sitting and embraced Ruth.

“Ruth!” Summer exclaimed. “What are you doing here? Wait, never mind, of course you're here.”

He watched numbly as Summer ushered Ruth over to take a seat.

“Yes dear, you shouldn’t be surprised,” Ruth chuckled. “Your poor mate, however, seems like he has seen better days.”

Summer peered up at him and he shrugged. There was no point in lying, he was well and truly ready for this day to be over.

“If you could give us anything, Ruth, I’d really appreciate it.” Summer’s sympathetic, yet worried gaze met his and suddenly Evan felt like a heel.

She must be thinking he was ready to run. He had known her for so long, and somehow everything between them just seemed so...right, that he forgot it was only the night before that everything had come to a head. Had it really only been twenty-four hours?

Walking over to her, Evan cupped her cheek, stroking it lovingly. “I’m not going anywhere, honey.”

“No, he isn’t,” Ruth injected. “Trust in that, child.”

Summer’s eyes watered but she nodded. “I do.”

The older woman suddenly chuckled, and Evan sent her an inquiring look. “Something funny?”

“Not really, just hearing those words. I do,” Ruth said, a coy smile on her lips. “Just reminded me of something.”

Evan stared at the woman, feeling slightly unnerved by the knowing glint in her eyes.

“I’m guessing that means you’ve had a vision, Ruth,” Summer asked, snapping him out of his thoughts.

“Yes, I did. However, it was a phone call from your sister that prompted my visit.”

Summer’s eyes opened wide in shock. “Ella? Is she okay? Is it her friend that’s coming?”

“Your sister is fine, dear,” Ruth reassured Summer. “She merely had a dream. One that concerned her enough to seek my counsel.”

“A dream? Like...a vision?” Summer asked sceptically.

“Yes, like a vision.” Ruth raised a brow. “Do not tell me you haven’t noticed your littermate's unusual ability to know things she shouldn’t?”

“Well…” Summer bit down on her lip, eyes darting to Evan then back to Ruth. “We’ve talked about it, but nothing serious, you know? Are you saying Ella is a Seer, like you?”

“That remains to be seen, but she is something unique. More important though, was her dream. She saw you both in danger, she couldn’t tell where you were or who you were with, but it was dense bush area.”

“That could be anywhere.” Fear skittered down Evan’s spine. It was all well and good to know that something was coming, but he needed to know more. “Have you had this vision? Do you know where, or at least when?”

“Young man, demanding answers I cannot give you will get us nowhere,” Ruth chastised.

Evan grunted. “I’m sorry, Ruth, but surely you understand the frustration I must feel.”

“I do, and I’m hoping to alleviate some on that by answering some of your simpler questions like who you really are and what you can do.”

He peered at her curiously. “And who am I?”

“You are a descendant to one of the most powerful witches the earth has ever seen,” the Seer stated.

“Seriously?” He'd not been expecting that.

“Gaia was revered, loved and worshiped. She was the mother of all witches. She could not only manipulate electricity in its rawest form, but nature itself. Human and shifter DNA had slowly diluted the powerful blood, to the point where no abilities were evident in either your mother, sister, or yourself. However, Summer’s White Tiger DNA, so rare and powerful, has awakened the part of you that slept.”

Evan gaped at the woman. Powers? Him? “So, I’ll have abilities? Like the bolt I shot out tonight at Sean?”

“You will be capable of doing much more than that.” Ruth chuckled. “Given your ancestor, it is possible you and your children will not be limited by one type of ability, but be able to possess them all. At least, I know your children will...if they survive.”

Evan stiffened. “What do you mean?”

“The prophesy, Evan.” The older woman pinned him with a look so ominous he shivered. “You know about it, it is real. There are those out there who will do anything to stop your children from being born, from fulfilling their destinies.”

“How are we supposed to fight that?” Summer sighed, raking fingers through her long, chocolate brown hair.

“You will. Because there is no greater power than a parent's love for their child.” Ruth took Summer’s hand in hers, comforting scared Summer. “I’m sorry I cannot offer more, but that is what I have for you...at least for now.”

“Thank you, Ruth.”

Evan followed as Ruth stood, making her way to the door. “You are most welcome, my dear.”

He growled as he tripped over Ally again. “Oh, for God’s sake, Ally. Out of the way.”

Ruth snickered. “I see you are bonding well with your familiar. Be mindful of how important she is to you.”

“Yeah, I keep hearing that,” he grumbled. “But I don’t think I have to worry about someone going after her to get to me. She keeps this up, I’ll fall over her and end up breaking my damn neck.”

Summer and Ruth both laughed, and while it annoyed him, he saw the amusement there.

Ruth turned as she reached the front door. “Oh, one more thing before I leave…”

“Yes,” he asked warily.

“About your incident the other night.”

Evan bristled. “She was attacked, it was more than a simple incident.”

“Yes, I agree.” Ruth nodded in agreement. “While there are those who would stop at nothing to stop your children from being born, there are also those who would do even more to be a part of such a prophesy. Something for you to think on. Hmmm?”

Summer’s eyes were glued to the door, and Evan noticed she flinched as it clicked shut.

“Summer?” When she didn’t answer, he grew more concerned. Her skin was unusually pale, and her breathing came quickly. “Honey?”

“That’s why he drugged me,” she whispered abruptly.

“Why?” Evan had no idea what Summer was saying, and he feared maybe she was in some kind of shock. It wouldn’t surprise him after everything she had been through and discovered in the last twenty-four hours. Hell, if he weren’t so concerned for Summer, he’d join her.

“He wanted to be a part of the prophesy, don’t you see? If I carried his child then it would be his children in the prophesy, or maybe even…”

“Even what?” Dread filled him, he didn’t like where her train of thought was going.

“Or even void the prophesy, because a child between Brad and I would be nowhere near as powerful as ours.”

“Fuck!” Summer was right, he could feel it.

Evan held her tight, unwilling to let her go. Thoughts and possibilities swirled through his mind, one more disturbing than the next. Bradley was the true kind of monster, and just the thought of the man getting his hands on Summer again nearly sent him into a fit of rage. Evan knew then he was going to have a hell of a time protecting the woman he loved, but he’d die trying if need be.